Somerset County United Way is committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of Somerset County. Building on our expertise and experience in addressing community issues, Somerset County United Way is expanding its work to dig more deeply into pressing issues, identifying root causes, engaging new partners, and developing lasting solutions that will make life better here in Somerset County.
Within the area of Life Readiness, Somerset County United Way focuses on education, literacy and life skills development for people of all ages.
Initiatives and Programs:
Creating Assets, Savings and Hope(C.A.$.H.) Initiative…an initiative designed to assist low and moderate income populations maximize resources to achieve financial independence.
Gifts of the Season Program…In partnership with the Food Bank of Somerset County and the Somerset County Board of Social Services, gift items are provided to over 5,000 individuals and families in need in Somerset County.
Wrapped in Love Program…New and gently used coats are collected throughout the community and distributed to thousands of people in need of a warm coat, hats, gloves and scarves during the winter…
Workforce Development Initiative… This new effort will assist individuals looking to strengthen their job skills, identify skill development resources and work closely with other community entities to enhance our local work force and identify work opportunities that meet the changing needs of our economy.
Somerset County United Way also invests a portion of funds entrusted to it in programs that promote life readiness for children and adults.
All funded programs must establish desired outcomes that are achievable, measurable and generate overall impact area outcomes. Listed below are examples of the types of services funded in life readiness and sample outcomes from some of those programs.
Achieving Life Readiness
Vision: Children and Adults are prepared for life, education, and work.
Programs that ensure that children are developmentally on track and successfully complete grades K-12. Also, programs for adolescents and adults that provide life skills and job training. Services include:
· Job skills development, training, employment opportunities for individuals striving to achieve independence
· Programs that provide a safe place for youth and opportunities for adults to guide and mentor youth
· Structured, educational before and after school programs, summer camps and youth clubs
· Career awareness, exploration, education and job preparation
· Early childhood development, programs that provide children with the basic building blocks to meet the educational, physical, emotional and mental needs of children within a diverse community
· Diagnosis, training and care for children with developmental disabilities
Impact Area Outcomes
o All Children enter school ready to learn.
Sample program outcome:
§ Children develop age appropriate skills. (day care program)
o All Children graduate on time ready for work or further education.
Sample program outcome:
§ Children will be H.S. graduates or GED recipients and transition from H.S. to post secondary education, or training to prepare for employment, or paid employment.
o All Adults are trained for employment in career advancing positions.
Sample program outcome:
§ Adults are trained for employment in career advancing positions in the food service industry.
o All Adults have access to services that support and enable continued employment.
Sample program outcome:
§ Clients acquire skills in job readiness, employment searches, effective interpersonal communication & time management